Personal advice.

[Buck136]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which has come as a shock. I’m now faced with the dilemma of being prescribed Apixaban plus Rampiril. The thought of anticoagulants concern as I have no experience of this. As such I’m facing the dilemma of accepting to take them.....and risk side effects, or not taking them and risking clots. I’m finding the decision extremely stressful and difficult.

[Ageingfast]

welcome on board Buck.

I put my faith in Doctors hands and take the tablets. Blood thinners have done their work and it’s been 8 years without a heart clotting event. I am now 75.

The side effect is that I rarely get migraine. They were frequent before hand.

My BP is often too high and Ramipril seems to lessen the worst of it.

You could ask for alternative drugs. Have a chat with your chemist.

Sooty

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It is a shock. I had the same diagnosis, took the pills and the episodes stopped. There are good reasons to take these. I trust the Drs. like Blackcatsooty. They know lots more than me, and weigh up the risks vs benefits for me.

[Rosie1066]

I have been in Warfarin since 2009 due to having a heart valve replacement but I also now suffer from AF. Warfarin needs much closer monitoring than Apixaban, and apart from the constant monitoring , I have no problems with it being life long. Now that I also suffer AF I don’t need to be too concerned as my Warfarin already gives me protection against having a Stroke. Apixaban would work in the same way and does not need the constant monitoring like Warfarin.

[Shipgirl94]

I was on apixibam and veraprimal for about 10 months but recently got reassessed and with my CHAD score only being 1, I am not just on a betablocker instead. I had two issues and one was remembering to take 5 tablets at different times in the day even with alarms set on my phone and that I was more prone to bleeding when I had a slight nick etc. While I was happy to stay on them, if they were overall good for my health am glad I am now only on one tablet a day which has had a positive effect on my migraines, which didn't really change with the other meds. If something in my health changes, or I reach 65 years of age, then I will have to switch back. Hopefully that helps - my advice is to check with GP/consultant and follow their advice

[Raft]

Hi Buck136. I have been on Ramipril (7.5mg) and Apixaban (10mg) plus Bisoprolol since 2019 following a diagnosis similar to yours. I am 84 years old and my only side effect is bruising following a slight knock and no problems with bleeding. The value of APixaban is primarily stroke prevention, so I would not hesitate to accept the advice of your doctor/cardiologist and take it.